Flat-metal flexible floor-mat.



` No. 796,008. v. PATENTE-D AUG.1, 1 905.

` RPAGKBR. n

PLATMETAL PLBXIBLBPLOOR MAT.

APPLICATION FILED 00T. 27.1902.

ANDREW n GRAHAM no. Hmammcknmwm w/wuncrou. mc

'UNITED STATES 'ELIPACKER, or Das MOINES, IowA.

FLAT-METAL FLExlBLE/FLooR-M'AT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 1, 19.05

Application filed October 27, 1902. Serial No. 128,996-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELI PACKER, a citizen complete mat willl be rigidly connected and that there will be a limited degree of iiexure between each link relative to the other-pieces with which it contacts, so that thereV will be lines of flexure across the mat between .rows of the pieces extending at right angles across the mat in such a manner that the complete mat will readily adjust itself to an uneven surface and also readily rolled up compactly to facilitate handling, packing, storing, and shipping. l

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the links, as hereinafter set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichl Figure l is a perspective View ofone of the four-sided closed links made of a single piece of flat metal by bending it into quadrangular shape, as shown. Fig. 2 shows a modification of Fig. 1 provided with notches in its edges at one end and adapted for fastening the ends of wires thereto advantageously. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a piece of flat metal having an end portion bentinto rectangles to ad apt it to be placed between four-sided closed links, as shown in Fig. 6 and as required to finish the sides of the matthat is composed of closed links to resist weight Apressed upon it. By alternating the closed links and open links in side rows straight edges are produced i from end to end, a result that cannot be accomplished by means of the four-sided closed links alone. Figs 4 and 5 show forms of links adapted to serve for finishing the sides of a mat by passing the wire strands through them, and thereby connecting rows of links together securely and producing parallel finished edges. Eig. 6 is atop view of the complete mat and shows the positions ofall thediderent forms of links relative to each other. The letter a designates a single length of at metal of uniform width bent into quadran' gular shape and its ends placed in overlying and contacting position at one corner and provided with coinciding apertures at the end portions of the parallel sides insuch a mannerv as to produce afour-sided closed link that wires can be passed through the apertures as required for pivotally connecting rows of links of different forms, as shown in Fig. 6,'to produce a neat, strong, and durable flexible mat.

The letter d designates the form of link shown in Fig. 3,- f the form shown in Fig. 4, and g the form shown in Fig. 5.

The modification of the four-sided closed link shown in Fig. 2 is perforated in the same manner as the'one shown in Fig. l, but provided with notches in the edges of its closed end to admit a strand of wire to be Wrapped l around it and fastened without allowing the wire to project beyond the width of the iat metal on the opposite sides of the notches.

To pivotally connect the links, wires vare extended through the coinciding apertures, as shown in Fig. 6, and their ends coiled around the notched parts and embedded in the notches and the ends of vthe wires terminated on their inside iiat faces, so that they can be readily soldered together and securely fastened to the flat metal. The diiferent forms of links thus flexibly connected will resist lateral pressure from all directions, and therefore cannot by foot-pressure be changed in shape or displaced relative to each other in the mat to impair the ornamental appearance or eficiencyof the Inat.

`It is obvious that contiguous rows of foursided closed links at the sides cannot be pivotally connected by means of wire and that the* links that are bent at right angles at one end only are advantageously placed between the four-sided closed links and contact along their entire lengths with the four-sided closed links to mutually support each other and to jointly resist heavy pressure.

Having thus described the purpose and construction of my invention, its practical operation and utility will be readily understood by persons familiargwith the art to which it pertains.

WhatIclaim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isv 1. A flexible-metal mat comprising pieces of iat metal bent into rquadrangular shape to produce four-sided closed links, the parallel sides being provided near their ends with coinciding perforations, corresponding links provided with notches in their edges, pieces of iiat metal bentinto right angles at one end portion only and provided With perforations, pieces of Hat metal bent laterally at their central portions and perforated at their ends and central portions and a single length of Wire extended through the perforations in the different links and fastened in said notches, as shown and described for the purposes stated.

2. In a flexible mat of the class herein described, a series of skeleton and substantially rectangular links, arranged in a series of rows, the series of links in one row alternating with the series of links in the next adjacent row, and With the ends of one series of links lapping past the ends of the next adjacent series, and means for connecting the adjoining ends of the links together in a pivotal manner, substantially as set forth.

' ELI PACKER.

Witnesses:

R. H. ORWIG, THOMAS G. ORWIG. 

